We deliberately steered clear of the, shall we say, more obvious choices when compiling our list of top manufacturers, opting instead for the firms which we feel deserve recognition for the inroads they've made in both the UK and world markets over the past few years.
The manufacturers we've picked bring something new and different to the new car market and have made it onto our list of Best Manufacturers thanks to their fresh approach in what is traditionally a very conservative industry.
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Winner - KiaKia's transformation from automotive joke to serious European-market contender is nothing short of astonishing. Little more than five years ago, Kia was churning out the sort of cars you wouldn't touch with a pole (barge or otherwise). Now, however, they're producing cars of immense quality and engineering excellence, and thanks to their new styling direction (courtesy of Peter Schreyer, the man who designed the original Audi TT), the cars now look the part too. |
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DaciaGiven the increasing complexity -- not to mention cost -- of modern cars, Dacia came along at just the right time, with a refreshingly back-to-basics attitude towards car design. The first UK models, the Sandero and the Duster, immediately captured the public's attention and rightly so. With their proven Renault mechanicals and bargain-basement price tags, Dacia's cars are thoroughly convincing |
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Highly Commended - InfinitiTrying to launch a new premium brand during one of the world's worst financial recessions is hard enough, but Infiniti is trying to crack one of the most conservative car markets on the planet. For this alone they earn our respect and make it onto our list of Best Manufacturers. On top of this, their new Q50 looks like it could make an impact on the British market and steal sales away from the established class leaders; plus, their Formula One connections make them officially cool. |
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